Harrogate Ladies gain a hatrick after a huge win over Halifax Ladies!

The home side showed off their strengths to the visitors with 2 tries scored within 5 minutes of the kick off.

Harrogate were to receive and took charge after a clean catch of the ball after the whistle blew. The ball moved quickly through the hands and was taken towards the try line by the forwards. Halifax conceded a penalty on their own 22 and with no hesitation the ball was carried over the line in the hands of Number 8, Ellie Ward.

3 minutes later the home side got their second as Centre, Evie Jackson shipped it out wide to Full back, Simone Christopher who managed to keep possession and touched down in the right corner, Harrogate were 10-0 up.

Halifax managed to make some ground in attack and when they were back on the defence they forced Harrogate into touch to ensure a line out. However, the throw in surpassed both jumpers and was won by Harrogate further back in the line. Scrum half, Leah Birkin made sure the ball quickly made its way out wide allowing Jackson to step the last of the Halifax defence and dive over the line.
A mere 5 minutes later Prop, Lizzie Mason made a powerful break through the Halifax’s guard and charged her way over the try line to score under the sticks. Birkin converted to bring the score to 22-0.

Prop, Amber Barnicoat then took possession from the following kick off. She carried well, making it back into the opposition’s half of the pitch before making a sneaky inside ball to Fly half, Rose Jay. Jay took off, danced around multiple Halifax defenders and crossed the whitewash under the posts. Harrogate led by 27 points at the half time whistle.

Halifax started off strong in the second half but 5 minutes after the resume Harrogate were back on the attack. The home side defended well resulting in a turnover of possession after a ball steal by Jess Young. Quick passes along the back line followed that allowed Winger, Steph Lynes to score in the right corner making it 32-0 to the home outfit.

Harrogate reacted instantaneously to the kick off, grateful for fresh legs on the pitch. Evie Tonkin made the catch with her first touch of the ball and ran through the first line of the visiting squad’s defence before making a break up the right hand side and touching down with ease.

After this Halifax stepped up their defence, holding the home side back in their half of the pitch before a series of steals at the breakdown. Harrogate were forced to work hard to keep Halifax at bay. It wasn’t until Barnett’s side took advantage of a loose ball on the half way line that Tonkin broke through to score her second then kicked over the extras. Harrogate’s lead was increased to 44-0.

Harrogate reacted without hesitation to the kick off allowing Lizzy Goddard-Taylor to make a break at the half way line, she ran through several Halifax defenders to score under the sticks. Tonkin converted to make it 51-0 with 20 minutes to go.

Halifax held off Harrogate after the resume of play and made their opposition work hard to make any progress into their half. Yet, a knock on ensured a break up the left wing by Jay which resulted in one last try from the home team. Tonkin made it a hatrick of kicks as she converted Jay’s try to make it 58-0 with 10 minutes remaining.

Halifax fought back with relentless attack in the final moments and pushed Harrogate’s defence back gradually. The visitor’s made it over the line at 74 minutes but were held up by the tiring defensive line. This, however made Halifax more determined as they fought back for the remaining minutes, finally scoring seconds before the final whistle. The final score was 58-5 to Harrogate.

The Ladies will play York RI away on Sunday (22nd October) and strive to show the local rivals the progress they have made as a team since their meeting last season.